FINALS WATCH: Howard backs teammate’s Gators

Howard was shown on the big video board doing the ”Gator chomp” in the Florida student section during the second half of the Gators’ game against Connecticut at the Final Four. Parsons was with him.

Howard, who went straight to the NBA from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, also could be seen singing a Florida school song. Howard signed with the Rockets in the offseason.

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Parsons played all four years at Florida and was a second-round pick by Houston in 2011. He was a freshman with the Gators the year after the second of back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.

Howard and Parsons left AT&T Stadium with Florida down by double digits in the final minute of UConn’s 63-53 victory. Houston plays Denver at home Sunday.

– Schuyler Dixon – https://twitter.com/apschuyler

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NCAA Finals Watch follows the Final Four games and all the activities surrounding the event as seen by journalists from The Associated Press in North Texas – from the big stadium in Arlington where the games will be played to downtown Dallas. It will be updated throughout the day with breaking news and other items of interest. Follow AP reporters on Twitter where available.